Rugby league reporter

SYDNEY ROOSTERS have released centre Joseph ''BJ'' Leilua from the final two years of his contract.

Fairfax Media has been told the Roosters were not happy with Leilua's attitude and his application to the club for some time.

New coach Trent Robinson wants to stamp his authority on the club, and it is understood Leilua, who celebrated his 21st birthday last Wednesday, did not do enough to convince Robinson he was a keen member of the team.

There were concerns over his attitude towards training, as well as his off-field behaviour.

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A Roosters insider said ''we're after professional athletes'' and believed it was best for the club and Leilua to part ways.

His exit comes two weeks after prop Mose Masoe was released from the final year of his Roosters contract. The 23-year-old Masoe has joined Penrith.

Leilua, a promising centre, spent a night in jail in May after an altercation with his ex-girlfriend.

He was later found not guilty of assault charges but was found guilty of using his mobile phone in an offensive way by sending naked pictures of her to her brother and her best friend.

Leilua paid $500 for a good behaviour bond and will have to return to court if the 12-month bond, which ends in October, is broken. He made his representative debut for City against Country in Mudgee in April.

He was one of the best players on the field and was rewarded by being added to an extended NSW squad during this year's Origin series, although he did not play.

Meanwhile, Parramatta's Reni Maitua was involved in an altercation with a fellow Eels player at Kings Cross at the weekend.

Maitua was knocked out by an under-20s player, Shaun Anderson, who was sacked by the club for his involvement in the fracas outside the Tunnel nightclub.

Parramatta officials investigated the incident but took no action against Maitua.